All is NOT well in SNAFU Land

[KDRABIK]

OOPS!! Hopefully one of you diesel gurus can tell me possibly what went wrong. I had just replaced the fuel filter in my truck, wiped everything down, and turned the key to bump the lift pump to make sure no air in the fuel lines. The truck fired right up but only ran for about two seconds! I looked under the hood and saw fuel leaking from around the lid of the housing (oh, S**T!). After investigating, I found that the o-ring had slipped off while replacing the lid after filter replacement. "No big deal", I figured, so I re-did the whole procedure of making sure the housing was full of fuel and then made sure the o-ring was properly in place when I screwed the lid back on. I turned the key to bump the lift pump, it cycled for a few seconds, then cranked her over... . NOW it won't start!!!!

Did I get air in the fuel lines?! Did I short something out when the fuel was dumping all over the place when I started it the first time(I did check for blown fuses, but came up clear)? Please help amigos, I am already late for work, and the Warden doesn't come home from her job until 5:30!!

Any insight and advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!

 

[SLang]

I've done this before too. Shouldn't have shorted anything, but alway a possibility.



Try two things:



1) Role the truck over after first 2-3 roles press the accelerator down 1/4 way. This will make sure enough fuel is going to the injectors.



2) If still don't start crank the return line on #1 injector to check for fuel. Just a little so the not to much fuel leaks.



If n fuel at injectors, then you'll have to back track. This may take some time and will get you dirty.



Good luck.

 

[Shooter]

When you get through with the fuel filter , bump the starter --DO NOT CRANK--- leave the key on . The lift pump will run for 20 to 30 seconds. do this 3 or 4 times to kpurge air from the low pressure side of the fuel system, then try to start the truck. If at this point it will not start you will need a 19mm wrench to loosen one or two injector line nuts a half to one turn at the head. Do the one or 2 you can get to. cycle the lift pump as before, then try to start the engine. you will be bleeding ait from the high pressure side of the injector pump and lines and will get air and fuel. When the engine starts ( it will be running rough ) tighten the injector lines back up. It will take a few miniuts for the system to puge the air from the injector pump, lines and injectors and start running smooth.

The 24v are different than the 12v.

 

[KDRABIK]

SLang-



Thanks for the advice. I'll tell you what I've done so far;



I pumped the throttle pedal a few times while cranking, but nothing so far,



I opened the drain valve to make sure the housing is full of fuel and to try and get any air out,



Now every time I turn the key before starting, the lift pump will run for about 15-20 seconds before shutting down,



I crank the engine for about 10 seconds at a time, with a 2 minute break in between.



I haven't looked at the injectors yet, but am getting near that attempt. Its just that I don't want to fool with those and end up getting more air into the whole mess that I have already created!

 

[Fireman Dave]

Try cranking it longer

KDRABIK,



Try cranking it longer. When I did my first fuel filter, I had the same thing (except the leaking lid). It fired right up at first, then quit. I cranked and cranked and nothing. Then I cranked it for about 15 seconds - I know - seems like an eternity. Then it fired up. I just wasn't cranking long enough. When it fired that first time, it was just the leftover fuel in the lines. Cranking longer got it going.



I know you may have solved it by now - and I hope so!. But if not, maybe this will help. You might not have air in the lines like you think. Good luck!



Dave

 

[Ragin Ram]

When I installed the new filter in mine I noticed that the o-ring

was too big and it didn't seat properly. The filter is NAPA that

has the Stratapore logo on it. I ended up having to use the

old o-ring. Possibly your canister is not sealed properly. Might

be worth checking.

 

[700rmk]

purging the easy way

KDRABIK,

On the injection pump where the fuel supply line comes in from the filter is a black plastic cap. Remove cap and under this cap is a schrader valve like a tire, bump the starter and quickly go and press the valve, fuel should come out with a few air bubbles and then start flowing a good solid stream of diesel, replace the cap and crank on it a little bit with the throttle down, this has worked for me every time.

 

[Cooker]

GR, Michigan huh?



Where in GR are you?



-Ryan

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Good point Ragin Ram, i wonder if he cross threaded it by accident and now it wont seal?. I had to crank my truck a bit to get it to start too. I did not prime it though, next time i will.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Last change I screwed up and did something similar. It took several tries before she fired. I had gotten air in the lines. The "bump the starter, but don't start" should force the air on through to the tank. If not you will have use the injector bleed procedure.